Leg guard



Jan. 6(1948. LgL. BREDIN 2,434,064

LEG GUARD Filed NOV. 15 1946 INVENTOR LEWIS L. BREDIN A'ITO R N EYS Patented Jan. 6, ,1 948 UNI- T ED STATES ICE I LEG GUARD Lewis L. Bredin, Oxford, Mich.

Application November 15, 1946, Serial No. 710,156

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to leg guards, and more particularly to an adjustable leg guard.

Horsemen usually protect the leg and breeches from the effect of chafing by the use of high riding boots extending Well up upon the leg. These are difiicult to apply or remove and require the use of special riding breeches. Thus a horseman properly dressed and called to some activity or duty requiring ordinary dress is confronted with the tedious and laborious task of a complete clothing change. Also, they must be custom fitted and so closely hug the leg as to prevent air circulation.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg guard of simple form which readily may be put on over the ordinary trouser leg, which may be applied or removed very quickly, and which supplies full measure of protection against chafing, stirrup wear and the like, as well as ventilation and air circulation around the leg.

Another object is to provide an improved quick detachable leg guard which is adjustable to any wearer and is also of neat and pleasing appearance and comfortable in use.

Further objects of the invention in part are apparent and in part will appear more clearly in the description to follow.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view representing my improved leg guard applied and in use on the right leg;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a detail view from the left in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, and showing a modification.

The leg guard shown in the drawing consists of a body member I made of any suitable material, usually in one piece although that is not essential, shaped and contoured to more or less snugly fit the inner half of the lower limb from a point at or below the ankle to a level just below the knee. The lower end edge ll follows a line along but just below the upper edge of the ordinary Oxford or low shoe, so that ordinary shoes may be worn and the ankle and shin bone are fully covered and protected. The vertical rear edge l2 extends up the back of the calf, while the front edge l3 may extend just a little beyond and therefore fully cover the front leg bone or fibula,

the body is formed of more or less stiff and heavy leather, or other material, such as a plastic resin, capable of being molded or pressed into the proper shape to conform to the shape of the leg.

Suitable attaching means is also provided. The drawings show, for this purpose, a strap 15 and buckle I6 at the top. A similar strap and buckle, indicated at IT, may extend around the middle of the leg, although usually not necessary. At its lower end the guard is provided with an instep strap l8, which may be led underneath the shoe, in front of the heel and which is enlarged and extended, on the outside of the foot to provide a Y-form pad l9. One branch of the pad may be adjustably secured to the back of the body, over the heel, by buckle 2D and the other to the front, over the instep, by buckle 2 I. If desired the pad 19 may be adjustably secured to strap l8 by a buckle 22, as in Fig. 5, in which case each branch of the Y-pad may be provided with a simple open hook 23 adapted to be inserted into a hole in a stub strap 24 attached to the body. Either arrangement enables the lower end portion of the guard to be more or less nicely adjusted, fitted and conformed to the foot of the wearer.

One advantage of the invention resides in the fact that it covers only the inner half of the lower limb and does not completely encase it, as is the case with a, riding boot. Thus air circulation over the limb is permitted, the ventilation thus afforded contributing to the comfort of the wearer. Again, accurate fitting or custom tailoring is unnecessary. The device is made in about three sizes, varying in the length of the straps l5, l1 and I 8, as well as in the length from top to bottom of the guard, three such sizes being sulficient to accommodate all wearers. No foot or calf measurements are necessary, as neither is enclosed, and selection of appropriate length and size enables the device to be accommodated to any size and shape of leg.

The device described is of simple form, may be made and sold at low cost, is readily and quickly applied or removed, may be used with ordinary street clothes, has a neat and pleasing appearance and is comfortable to wear.

Other advantages of the invention will be ap- 3 strap attached to the body member and adapted to extend below the instep and provided with two branches both adapted for securement to the body member, one extending behind the heel and the other over the instep.

2. A leg guard of the character described, comprising a body member shaped to fit approximately the inner half of the lower limb of the wearer and provided at its upper and lower ends with means for detachably securing it in place, the lower securing means including an instep strap attached to the body member and adapted to extend below the instep and provided with two branches both adapted for securement to the body member, one extending behind the heel and the 5 other over the instep, the vertical edges of the body member extending respectively along the front and back of the leg of the wearer, leaving the outer half of the leg uncovered.

LEWIS L. BREDIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 649,718 Deuther May 15, 1900 1,801,437 Lown et a1 Apr. 21, 1931 

